Abstract: The invention relates to very precisely measuring changes in thickness of pipe walls to determine corrosion rate prior to any significant corrosion loss. The thickness is determined by ultrasonic testing where many measurements of the wall thickness are taken at the same spot by a fixed sensor and errors associated with noise and temperature changes are substantially eliminated. A highly sensitive receiver converts each reflected pulse to waves that are averaged with other pulse measurements. The resulting average wave is analyzed so that each waveform is analyzed to identify the extrema and inflection points of each reflected pulse. The resulting analysis provides a far more accurate determination of the time between reflected pulses. As a result, a far more accurate picture of corrosion at the location of the wall of the pipe can be determined within weeks with a high degree of confidence.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion comprises the steps of providing a fluid; adding a corrosion inhibitor comprising at least one amphiphilic chemical to the fluid; and monitoring micelles presence in the fluid. A method for determining the amount of corrosion inhibitor that is sufficient to inhibit corrosion, a method for monitoring the activity of an amphiphilic chemical and a system for inhibiting corrosion in a conduit are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to very precisely measuring changes in thickness of pipe walls to determine corrosion rate prior to any significant corrosion loss. The thickness is determined by ultrasonic testing where many measurements of the wall thickness are taken at the same spot by a fixed sensor and errors associated with noise and temperature changes are substantially eliminated. A highly sensitive receiver converts each reflected pulse to waves that are averaged with other pulse measurements. The resulting average wave is analyzed so that each waveform is analyzed to identify the extrema and inflection points of each reflected pulse. The resulting analysis provides a far more accurate determination of the time between reflected pulses. As a result, a far more accurate picture of corrosion at the location of the wall of the pipe can be determined within weeks with a high degree of confidence.

Abstract: Processes and methods are provided for applying corrosion inhibitor within a foam matrix to the top of the line of wet gas pipelines. The environment within a hydrocarbon containing pipeline may include fluids that form strong acids in the gas space at the upper portion of the pipeline and can rapidly corrode a carbon steel pipeline. The solution provides a foam matrix created by a combination of foaming agent, foaming gas and corrosion inhibitor that are each selected to be compatible with each other and with the hydrocarbon mixture to form a stable foam matrix that treats the top of the line position for the length of the pipeline. A foam breaking agent at the end of the pipeline can be injected, if needed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced water treatment comprise inorganic filter systems for impurity removal. Embodiments for water impurity removal include introducing contaminated water into an impurity removal system having an inorganic filter. The inorganic filter comprises an inorganic membrane layer supported by an inorganic support. The inorganic membrane layer comprises pores sized from about 1,000 Daltons to about 10 microns for filtering impurities such as kinetic hydrate inhibitor. Other pre-treatment and post-treatment stages may be included. The inorganic membrane layer or inorganic membrane support may comprise a ceramic such as alumina, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, and mixed oxides.

Abstract: A post-primary oil recovery process for recovering oil from a subterranean formation may involve injecting into a crude oil-bearing subterranean formation an aqueous saline surfactant composition of brine, Alkyl Polyglucoside, Linear Primary Alcohol Ethoxylate, sodium hydroxide and alcohols; displacing the aqueous composition through the oil-bearing formation and driving oil from the oil-bearing formation; and recovering oil displaced from the subterranean formation. The injecting step may be preceded by the step of injecting into the subterranean formation a volume of salinity water to adjust salinity of connate water within the subterranean reservoir to a predetermined salinity. Injection of the surfactant composition may further be followed by injection of a buffer comprising water dispersible polymeric viscosifier or water soluble polymeric viscosifier. The surfactant composition may additionally contain at least one cosurfactant selected from hydrocarbon sulfonates and alcohols.

Abstract: Target chemicals are monitored at very low concentrations in pipelines or vessels such as storage tanks using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of a sample. A liquid sample having a target chemical such as biocides, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, emulsion breakers, and hydrate inhibitors are tested while exposed to a prepared and charged surface of a coupon so as to draw the target material to the prepared and charged surface. The charged surface is fairly precisely charged using two other electrodes to calibrate the charge on the surface of the coupon. With the target substance presumably drawn to the coupon, the molecules on the surface of the coupon are excited by monochromatic light such as from a laser to induce vibrations within the molecules.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion comprises the steps of providing a fluid; adding a corrosion inhibitor comprising at least one amphiphilic chemical to the fluid; and monitoring micelles presence in the fluid. A method for determining the amount of corrosion inhibitor that is sufficient to inhibit corrosion, a method for monitoring the activity of an amphiphilic chemical and a system for inhibiting corrosion in a conduit are also disclosed.

Abstract: Target chemicals are monitored at very low concentrations in pipelines or vessels such as storage tanks using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of a sample. A liquid sample having a target chemical such as biocides, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, emulsion breakers, and hydrate inhibitors are tested while exposed to a prepared and charged surface of a coupon so as to draw the target material to the prepared and charged surface. The charged surface is fairly precisely charged using two other electrodes to calibrate the charge on the surface of the coupon. With the target substance presumably drawn to the coupon, the molecules on the surface of the coupon are excited by monochromatic light such as from a laser to induce vibrations within the molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to very precisely measuring changes in thickness of pipe walls to determine corrosion rate prior to any significant corrosion loss. The thickness is determined by ultrasonic testing where many measurements of the wall thickness are taken at the same spot by a fixed sensor and errors associated with noise and temperature changes are substantially eliminated. A highly sensitive receiver converts each reflected pulse to waves that are averaged with other pulse measurements. The resulting average wave is analyzed so that each waveform is analyzed to identify the extrema and inflection points of each reflected pulse. The resulting analysis provides a far more accurate determination of the time between reflected pulses. As a result, a far more accurate picture of corrosion at the location of the wall of the pipe can be determined within weeks with a high degree of confidence.

Abstract: Target chemicals are monitored at very low concentrations in pipelines or vessels such as storage tanks using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of a sample. A liquid sample having a target chemical such as biocides, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, emulsion breakers, and hydrate inhibitors are tested while exposed to a prepared and charged surface of a coupon so as to draw the target material to the prepared and charged surface. The charged surface is fairly precisely charged using two other electrodes to calibrate the charge on the surface of the coupon. With the target substance presumably drawn to the coupon, the molecules on the surface of the coupon are excited by monochromatic light such as from a laser to induce vibrations within the molecules.

Abstract: A test cell comprises a test chamber at least partially enclosed by a wall. The test chamber holds a test fluid, and a test material is placed within the test chamber such that at least a portion of the test material is contact with the test fluid and at least a portion of the test material is in optical register with a window of the wall. A first conductive element is in electrical communication with the test fluid but is separated from the test material by a space, and extends to an outside of the cell. A second conductive element is in electrical communication with the test material and also extends to the outside of the cell.

Abstract: Target chemicals are monitored at very low concentrations in pipelines or vessels such as storage tanks using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of a sample. A liquid sample having a target chemical such as biocides, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, anti-foaming agents, emulsion breakers, and hydrate inhibitors are tested while exposed to a prepared and charged surface of a coupon so as to draw the target material to the prepared and charged surface. The charged surface is fairly precisely charged using two other electrodes to calibrate the charge on the surface of the coupon. With the target substance presumably drawn to the coupon, the molecules on the surface of the coupon are excited by monochromatic light such as from a laser to induce vibrations within the molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to applying corrosion inhibitor within a foam matrix to the top of the line of wet gas pipelines. The environment within a hydrocarbon containing pipeline may include fluids that form strong acids in the gas space at the upper portion of the pipeline and can rapidly corrode a carbon steel pipeline. The inventive solution is to provide a foam matrix created by a combination of foaming agent, foaming gas and corrosion inhibitor that are each selected to be compatible with each other and with the hydrocarbon mixture to form a stable foam matrix that treats the top of the line position for the length of the pipeline. A foam breaking agent at the end of the pipeline can be injected, if needed.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an effect of a first substance on the behavior of a second substance comprises exposing a test material to the first substance, performing a first surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of the test material while it is exposed to the first substance, exposing the test material to the first substance and to the second substance, and performing a second surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of the test material while it is exposed to the first substance and to the second substance. Results of the first and second analyses are compared to identify a change in the behavior of the first substance.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an effect of a first substance on the behavior of a second substance comprises exposing a test material to the first substance, performing a first surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of the test material while it is exposed to the first substance, exposing the test material to the first substance and to the second substance, and performing a second surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of the test material while it is exposed to the first substance and to the second substance. Results of the first and second analyses are compared to identify a change in the behavior of the first substance.

Abstract: A test cell comprises a test chamber at least partially enclosed by a wall. The test chamber holds a test fluid, and a test material is placed within the test chamber such that at least a portion of the test material is contact with the test fluid and at least a portion of the test material is in optical register with a window of the wall. A first conductive element is in electrical communication with the test fluid but is separated from the test material by a space, and extends to an outside of the cell. A second conductive element is in electrical communication with the test material and also extends to the outside of the cell.

Abstract: The wear resistance of impellers used in multi-stage turbine pumps is tested by using a multi-stage turbine pump having impellers with different physical properties to pump a fluid containing small amounts of an abrasive material. After the fluid has been pumped for a time period sufficient to provide measurable wear to the impellers, the impellers are inspected to determine their relative resistance to wear.

Abstract: An oil field separation facility utilizing a total organic carbon analyzer to help maintain consistently acceptable levels of oil and water separation. The facility separates a produced oil and water mixture into an oil-rich stream and a water-rich stream. The total organic carbon analyzer measures the total organic carbon content of the water-rich stream. The measured total organic carbon content of the water-rich stream can then be used to adjust an operating parameter of the separation facility.

Abstract: An oil field separation facility utilizing a total organic carbon analyzer to help maintain consistently acceptable levels of oil and water separation. The facility separates a produced oil and water mixture into an oil-rich stream and a water-rich stream. The total organic carbon analyzer measures the total organic carbon content of the water-rich stream. The measured total organic carbon content of the water-rich stream can then be used to adjust an operating parameter of the separation facility.